To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary Chapter 1 - Vocabulary ambled ...
To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary Chapter 1 - Vocabulary ambled ...
To Kill a Mockingbird Vocabulary Chapter 1 - Vocabulary ambled ...
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<strong>Chapter</strong> 1 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
<strong>To</strong> <strong>Kill</strong> a <strong>Mockingbird</strong> <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
<strong>ambled</strong>: (vb.): to walk at a slow, leisurely pace.<br />
apothecary (n.): an early form of a pharmacist, apothecaries could also prescribe drugs.<br />
assuaged (vb.): to assuage is to lessen or to calm. Therefore, if Jem's fears about being<br />
able to play football were assuaged, it means that he no longer feared that he wouldn't<br />
be able to play the sport.<br />
beadle (n.): a minor city official, lower in rank than either a sheriff or a policeman, whose<br />
main duties revolve around preserving order at various civil functions such as trials and<br />
town hall meetings.<br />
brethren (n.): in this case, members of a particular church or sect<br />
corsets (n): a corset is a ladies undergarment designed to produce a particular effect on<br />
the figure. That effect usually results in a slim (or slimmer) waist and larger busts and<br />
hips.<br />
dictum (n.): in this case, a formal statement of principle<br />
domiciled (vb.): A domicile is a house or a place where a person lives. If you are<br />
domiciled somewhere, that is where you live. The Finch family lived in the northern part<br />
of the county.<br />
eaves (n.): the lower edges of a roof which usually project beyond the side of a building<br />
foray (n.): When you make a foray, you go somewhere or do something that is unusual<br />
or not normal for you. It was certainly not Jem's usual behavior to go near the Radley<br />
house; thus, doing so was a foray for him.<br />
human chattels (n.): slaves<br />
impotent (adj.): powerless. Simon's fury and anger regarding the Civil War would<br />
certainly have been impotent because there would have been nothing he could have<br />
done about it.<br />
impudent (adj.): <strong>To</strong> be impudent is to be shamelessly bold, as if you don't care what<br />
anyone thinks about you. Since the Haverfords did something illegal in front of<br />
witnesses, Lee rightfully describes them as impudent.<br />
malevolent (adj.): evil<br />
Methodists (n): members of a branch of a Protestant Christian denomination.<br />
picket (n): a pointed or sharpened pole or stake. Many pickets held together can make a<br />
picket fence.
piety (n): devotion to religious duties and practices<br />
predilection (n.): a predilection is a preference, or a preferred way of doing something.<br />
Thus, the Radley's preferred way of spending a Sunday afternoon was to keep the<br />
doors closed and not receive visitors<br />
ramrod (adj.): rigid, severe, straight<br />
repertoire was vapid: (n. + adj.): a repertoire is all the special skills a person has; vapid,<br />
in this case, means boring or uninteresting. So, when Scout says that their repertoire<br />
was vapid, she means that the games they had invented to pass the time had become<br />
old and had lost their interest.<br />
scold (n.): A scold is a person who scolds; that is, someone who often finds fault with<br />
people or things (and usually lets you know about it under no uncertain terms)<br />
spittoon (n.): a jar-like container to spit into; usually used to spit tobacco juice into.<br />
strictures (n.): conditions or rules<br />
taciturn (adj.): almost always silent. Apparently, Aunt Alexandra's husband was a very<br />
quiet man.<br />
unsullied (adj.): something that is unsullied has been basically untouched or unused.<br />
The fact that Atticus's edition of the Code of Alabama is unsullied would, in this case,<br />
indicate that he seldom consults this book.<br />
veranda (n): a portico or porch with a roof<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 2 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
auburn (adj.): reddish-brown<br />
catawba worms (n.): catawba worms are actually caterpillars that are highly prized by<br />
fishermen in the Southern United States.<br />
condescended (vb.): <strong>To</strong> condescend is to agree to do something that you believe to be<br />
beneath your dignity. Jem condescends to take Scout to school, even though, as a fifthgrader,<br />
he feels superior to his first-grade sister.<br />
covey (n.): a group<br />
crimson (adj.): blood-red<br />
cunning (adj.): In this case, cunning means attractive or cute -- almost too cute<br />
entailment (n.): a legal situation regarding the use of inherited property.
hookworms (n.): a type of parasite. Hookworms usually enter the body through bare feet<br />
and move through the body to the small intestines where they attach themselves with a<br />
series of hooks around their mouths.<br />
immune (adj.): In this case, to be immune to something means that it has no effect on<br />
you. The story Miss Caroline reads to the class has no effect on them; they don't get it.<br />
indigenous (adj.): belonging to a particular region or country<br />
scrip stamps (n.): paper money of small denominations (less than $1.00) issued for<br />
temporary emergency use. During the Great Depression, many local and state<br />
government gave out scrip stamps, or sometimes tokens, to needy people.<br />
seceded (vb.): <strong>To</strong> secede is to break away. During the Civil War, Alabama was one of<br />
the states that broke away, or seceded from the Union.<br />
smilax (n.): a bright green twinning vine, often used for holiday decorations. See a<br />
picture of smilax.<br />
sojourn (n.): a brief visit<br />
subsequent mortification (adj. + n.): Something that is subsequent will follow closely<br />
after something else. Mortification is a feeling of shame or the loss of self-respect. If<br />
Scout had been able to explain things to Miss Caroline, she could have prevented her<br />
teacher from losing self-respect of feeling shameful later on.<br />
vexations (n.): <strong>To</strong> vex is to annoy, so a vexation is something that causes annoyance or<br />
problems.<br />
wallowing illicitly (vb. + adv.): In this case, to wallow is to indulge in something (usually<br />
an activity) with great enjoyment. Illicit, used like this, means unauthorized or improper.<br />
After listening to Miss Caroline, Scout feels that, by reading, she has been happily<br />
indulging in something, which she should not have been doing.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 3 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
amiable (adj.): friendly<br />
compromise (n.): an agreement where each person agrees to give up something<br />
contemptuous (adj.): <strong>To</strong> be contemptuous is to have the feeling that someone or<br />
something is beneath you; that it or they are worthless. The Ewell boy obviously feels<br />
this way about his teacher, Miss Caroline.<br />
contentious (adj.): always ready to argue or fight<br />
cootie (n.): a slang term for a head louse. A louse (plural: lice) is a bloodsucking<br />
parasite. See a picture of a head louse.<br />
cracklin bread (n.): a type of cornbread mixed with cracklins (bits of fried pork skin).
diminutive (adj.): smaller than ordinary<br />
disapprobation (n.): disapproval<br />
discernible (adj.): understandable<br />
dispensation (n.): a release from an obligation or promise. In this case, by offering<br />
friendship to Walter and promising that Scout won't fight with him, Jem dispenses her<br />
threat to fight with him more.<br />
dose (of) magnesia (n. + n.): A dose is an exact amount of medicine. Magnesia is a<br />
medicine used as a laxative and antacid.<br />
eddy (n.): a current of water that moves against the main current; a whirlpool<br />
erratic (adj.): irregular. Calpurnia usually uses good grammar, but when she is angry,<br />
her grammar is irregular.<br />
flinty (adj.): Flint is a very hard rock. Something that is flinty is extremely hard and firm.<br />
fractious (adj.): mean or cross<br />
gravely (adv.): seriously<br />
haint (n.): a ghost or spook; someone or something very scary<br />
irked (v.): to be irked is to be annoyed. Scout is annoyed when Jem tells Walter that she<br />
won't fight with him (Walter) anymore.<br />
kerosene (n.): a thin oil. Kerosene is sometimes used as a solvent or cleaning agent,<br />
although its more common use is for fuel or lighting.<br />
lye soap (n.): Lye is a very strong alkaline substance used for cleaning. Lye soap is very<br />
strong, harsh soap that contains lye.<br />
monosyllabic (adj.): Mono means "one." A syllable is word or a part of a word, which<br />
can be pronounced with a single, uninterrupted sound. The name "Atticus," for example,<br />
is made up of three syllables: at + ti + cus. Thus, monosyllabic literally means "one<br />
sound." Scout's monosyllabic replies to Atticus's questions about her first day at school<br />
might have been made up of one-sound words like "yes" and "no."<br />
mutual concessions (adj. + n.): A concession is an agreement; something that is mutual<br />
is done by two or more people. Thus, a mutual concession occurs when two or more<br />
people agree on something.<br />
onslaught (n.): a violent attack<br />
persevere (v.): to carry on in spite of difficulties
tranquility (n.): peacefulness; serenity<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 4 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
auspicious (adj.): favorable<br />
melancholy (adj.): sad and gloomy<br />
quelling (of) nausea: (v. + n.): <strong>To</strong> quell something is to quiet or pacify it. Nausea is the<br />
feeling you get when your stomach is upset and you feel as if you're about to vomit.<br />
Scout is trying to quell her nausea, or make her stomach settle down.<br />
scuppernongs (n.): a sweet table grape, grown chiefly in the Southern United States.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 5 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
asinine (adj.): stupid; silly<br />
benevolence (n.): in this case, a generous or thoughtful gift<br />
benign (adj.): kind and gentle<br />
bridgework (n.): Unlike dentures, which replace the upper or lower sets of teeth,<br />
bridgework is made up of sections of replacement teeth that can be inserted and<br />
removed from one's mouth.<br />
chameleon (adj.) In nature, chameleons are tree-dwelling lizards that have the unusual<br />
ability to change the color of their skin in order to blend into their surroundings. By<br />
calling Miss Maudie a chameleon lady, Scout points out the fact that her neighbor's<br />
appearance was as changeable as one of the lizards. Learn more about chameleons,<br />
and see some pictures of chameleons.<br />
cordiality (n.): sincere affection and kindness<br />
edification (n.): education; instruction<br />
gaped (vb.): <strong>To</strong> gape at someone is to stare at that person with your mouth open.<br />
inquisitive (adj.): questioning; prying<br />
mimosa (n): Also called a silk tree, a mimosa can be either a tree or a shrub.<br />
morbid (adj.): gruesome; horrible<br />
placidly (adv.): calmly; quietly<br />
Protestant (adj.): Protestant is the name applied to any number of Christian churches,<br />
such as Baptist, Methodist, and Lutheran.
pulpit Gospel (adj. + n.): A pulpit is the raised platform or lectern from which a preacher<br />
speaks in church. The Gospel refers to the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically the<br />
first four books of the New Testament. Scout says that her faith in what she's heard<br />
about the teachings of Christ from the pulpit (preacher) in her own church has been<br />
shaken a bit.<br />
quibbling (vb.): a type of arguing where you avoid the main point by bringing up petty<br />
details<br />
tacit (adj.) An agreement, or, in this case, a "treaty" that is tacit is one that has been<br />
silently agreed upon. Thus, the children know that they can play on Miss Maudie's front<br />
lawn even though she never directly told them that it was all right to do so.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 6 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
collards (n.): a type of cabbage with very coarse leaves. It would be difficult to walk<br />
quietly through a patch of collards.<br />
dismemberment (n.): <strong>To</strong> dismember someone is to tear or cut that person's limbs (arms<br />
and legs) off. Although it is unlikely that anyone would have actually pulled off Dill's<br />
arms and legs, Lee uses the word to point out how outraged Miss Rachel must have<br />
been to discover that the children had been playing strip poker.<br />
eerily (adv.): weirdly; mysteriously<br />
ensuing (adj.): Something that ensues is something that comes immediately after<br />
something else.<br />
Franklin stove (n.): a cast iron heating stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin.<br />
kudzu (n.): a quick-growing vine with large leaves, often found in the Southern United<br />
States.<br />
lattice-work (adj.): A lattice is an openwork structure of crossed strips or bars, as in a<br />
screen. Light that passes through any kind of a lattice -work would produce lattice-work<br />
shadows.<br />
malignant (adj.): dangerous; evil<br />
prowess (n.): superior ability or skill<br />
ramshackle (adj.): loose or rickety; about to fall apart<br />
respiration (n.): breathing<br />
rigid (adj.): stiff<br />
waning (adj.): becoming less bright, intense, or strong. The moonlight is waning<br />
because it's getting closer to morning, and the moon is changing its position in the sky.
<strong>Chapter</strong> 7 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
cleaved (vb.): stuck<br />
gnats (n.): small, two-winged insects that can bite or sting. [Pronounced: NAT] See a<br />
picture of a gnat.<br />
meditative (adj.): <strong>To</strong> meditate is to reflect upon something, or think about it. When Jem<br />
give the patch on the tree a meditative pat, he does so in a thoughtful manner.<br />
palate (n.): the roof of one's mouth<br />
perpetual embalming (adj. + n.): Something that is perpetual lasts forever. Embalming is<br />
the process of preserving a dead body. Think of Egyptian mummies, or unwrap a virtual<br />
mummy. As Atticus later says, Jem would do well to get rid of the adjective (perpetual) .<br />
The Egyptians invented a type of paper (not toilet paper), as well as embalming (which,<br />
by its very nature, is perpetual).<br />
rendered (her) speechless: (vb. + n.): made her unable to speak<br />
vigil (n.): a watch. Jem is waiting and watching for Mr. Nathan to appear.<br />
whittles (vb.): <strong>To</strong> whittle is to use a knife to cut away thin shavings of wood. Sometimes,<br />
a whittler may actually end up carving a recognizable object.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 8 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
aberrations (n.): an aberration is a deviation, or a moving away from, something that is<br />
normal. The fact that winter comes so quickly in Maycomb is abnormal, thus, an<br />
aberration.<br />
azaleas (n.): a colorful and decorative kind of flower. See some pictures of azaleas.<br />
cannas (n.): a beautiful tropical flower.<br />
caricatures (n.): a representation of a person where certain features of that person are<br />
exaggerated or distorted.<br />
cordial (adj.): warm and friendly<br />
flue (n.): a channel in a chimney that allows smoke and flames to pass to the outside<br />
meteorological (adj.): anything to do with meteorology or weather.<br />
morphodite (n.): Scout has misheard Miss Maudie, who would actually have said the<br />
word hermaphrodite. Technically, a hermaphrodite is an animal or plant that has both<br />
female and male reproductive organs. Of course, the children's snowman is not really a<br />
hermaphrodite, but it does have both male and female characteristics.
near libel (adj. + n.): When you commit libel, you harm someone's reputation. Atticus<br />
tells the children that they have committed a near libel; that is, their snowman is almost<br />
libelous because it so closely represents one of their neighbors and could harm that<br />
neighbor's reputation.<br />
perpetrated (vb.): carried out; committed<br />
plaited (vb.): braided<br />
procured (vb): got<br />
prophets (n.): A prophet is someone able to predict the future.<br />
quelled (vb.): <strong>To</strong> quell is to overwhelm something until it is powerless. The tin roof of<br />
Miss Maudie's house quelled the flames because tin cannot burn so the fire was<br />
eventually stopped.<br />
roomers (n.): persons who rent and live in rooms in a house.<br />
switches (n.): slender twigs or branches<br />
taffeta (n.): a lustrous, stiff fabric, often used for women's dresses, especially formal<br />
wear<br />
touchous (adj.) touchy; sensitive<br />
treble (adj.): high<br />
unfathomable (adj.): Something that is unfathomable is something that can not be<br />
understood.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 9 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
ambrosia (n): a desert made up of a mixture of fruits, nuts, and coconut.<br />
analogous (adj.): similar; comparable<br />
attire (n.): clothing<br />
bawled (vb.) cried out noisily<br />
bluff (n.): the broad, flat front of a cliff<br />
catwalk (n.): a narrow, elevated walkway<br />
changelings (n.): a child secretly put in the place of another
compensation (n.): <strong>To</strong> compensate means to pay for something or to make up for<br />
something. Aunt Alexandra's good cooking skills, in some ways, make up for the fact<br />
that, for Scout, spending the holidays with her and Francis is not a lot of fun.<br />
constituted (vb.): made up<br />
crooned (vb.): <strong>To</strong> croon is to sing in a low, gentle tone.<br />
deportment (n.): behavior<br />
dim (adj.): unclear; not strong<br />
donned (vb.): put on<br />
doused (vb.): to douse someone is to pour liquid, in this case water, all over that person.<br />
evasion (n.): <strong>To</strong> evade is to avoid doing or answering something directly. Uncle Jack's<br />
evasion occurs when he doesn't directly answer Scout's question.<br />
fanatical (adj.): A fanatic is a person whose extreme enthusiasm, interest, zeal, etc.<br />
goes beyond what is reasonable. Aunt Alexandra is fanatical about Scout's clothes<br />
because, according to Scout, her aunt's interest in this subject goes beyond what is<br />
reasonable.<br />
gallantly (adv.): politely; in the manner of a gentleman<br />
gastric (adj.): of, in, or near the stomach. A stomach-ache would be a gastric complaint.<br />
gravitated (vb.): Gravity is, of course, the force that pulls you to earth and keeps you<br />
from floating into outer space. When you gravitate toward something or someone, you<br />
find yourself being pulled in the direction of that object or person.<br />
guilelessness (n.): Guile is craftiness and cunning in dealing with other. <strong>To</strong> be guileless<br />
is to have none of that craftiness. Here, Lee is being ironic since it’s obvious that Simon<br />
Finch didn't trust his daughters at all, and planned his house accordingly.<br />
harbored (vb.): to hold in the mind<br />
hookah (n): An oriental tobacco pipe with a flexible tube that draws smoke through a<br />
bowl of water<br />
impaired (adj.): damaged; weakened<br />
indecision (n.): When you're indecisive, you can't decide what to do. Scout's indecision<br />
revolves around whether she should obey Uncle Jack or run away from him.<br />
indicative (adj.): Something that is indicative of something shows or displays something.<br />
The manner in which Simon Finch arranged his house showed something about him.<br />
ingenuous (adj.): simple; innocent
innate (adj.): Something that is innate is a natural part of something else. <strong>To</strong> Scout,<br />
cuss words have a natural sort of attraction to them; an innate attractiveness. They<br />
have value all on their own for her.<br />
inordinately (adv.): Inordinate means too great or too many. Cousin Ike Finch is too vain<br />
about his beard; inordinately vain.<br />
invective (n.): Invectives are abusive terms, curses, insults, and/or cuss words<br />
isolate (vb.): set apart from others<br />
jar (vb.): shake up; disturb<br />
jetty (n): a type of wall built out into water to protect a coastline or restrain currents<br />
mishaps (n.): unlucky or unfortunate accidents<br />
mortify (vb.) humiliate; embarrass<br />
nocturnal (adj.): nightly<br />
obsess (vb.): greatly preoccupy<br />
obstreperous (adj.): noisy and unruly<br />
pantry (n.): a small room or closet off the kitchen where foodstuffs and cooking<br />
ingredients are stored<br />
porter (n.): a person who carries luggage, etc., in this case, at a railroad station.<br />
provocation (n.): <strong>To</strong> provoke is to excite some sort of feeling; often anger or irritation.<br />
Uncle Jack tells Scout that, as far as cuss words are concerned, he doesn't see the use<br />
for them unless they are used when one is very angry or provoked to use them.<br />
ringworm (n.): a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus.<br />
siblings (n.): brothers and/or sisters<br />
still (n.): an apparatus for making alcoholic liquors. The sort of still to which Scout refers<br />
would be an illegal one.<br />
subdued (vb.): Someone who has been subdued has been soothed or softened and<br />
made less intense.<br />
tarried (vb.): delayed; waited<br />
tentatively (adv.): <strong>To</strong> be tentative is to be hesitant or unsure. Francis asks Scout his<br />
question tentatively because he is unsure as to her reaction and more than a little afraid<br />
to face her.
tongs (n.): a device used to grab or lift objects. <strong>To</strong>ngs generally have two long arms that<br />
are hinged together.<br />
trousseau (n.): all the new clothes a bride brings to her marriage<br />
uncompromising lineaments (adj. + n.): Lineaments are distinctive features or<br />
characteristics. Uncompromising, in this instance, means unchanging; firm; set.<br />
Alexandra's and Francis's uncompromising lineaments are their characteristics that are<br />
set and will never change.<br />
wary (adj.): <strong>To</strong> be wary means to be cautious on your guard against something. In this<br />
instance, the children were never afraid of or cautious about their uncle's appearance.<br />
widow's walk (n.): a platform with a rail around it, built onto the roof of a house.<br />
Yankees (n.): Northerners; natives of Northern states. During the Civil War, the<br />
Yankees were the enemies of the South.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 10 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
alist (adj.): tilted to one side<br />
articulate (adj.): able to speak and express oneself<br />
attributes (n.): characteristics; qualities of a person or thing<br />
bout (n.): fight<br />
corncribs (n.): A corncrib is a small structure used to store corn.<br />
crook (of his arm) (n.): The crook of your arm is the inside part of your arm where it<br />
bends at the elbow.<br />
erratically (adv.): strangely; differently than normal<br />
feeble (adj.): weak; frail<br />
gingerly (adv.): carefully; cautiously<br />
inconspicuous (adj.) <strong>To</strong> be conspicuous is to attract attention. <strong>To</strong> be inconspicuous is to<br />
do the opposite; to not attract attention. Scout wishes that Atticus would be more<br />
inconspicuous; that is, he would attract less attention to himself.<br />
Jew's Harp (n): a small musical instrument that is played by plucking a piece of metal<br />
while holding the instrument to one's mouth.<br />
mad dog (adj. + n.): a dog infected with a disease, such as rabies, which makes it act in<br />
a crazy, dangerous manner
mausoleum (n.): Literally, a mausoleum is a large, imposing tomb (a tomb is a place<br />
where dead bodies -- those that aren't buried -- are housed). However, Miss Maudie<br />
uses the term in its humorous form. She refers to her old house as a mausoleum<br />
because, to her, it was too large and too somber.<br />
peril (n.): danger<br />
Providence (n.): the care of God<br />
rudiments (n.): principles; elements; subjects to be learned<br />
tartly (adv.): sharply<br />
torso (n.): the trunk of a body; that is, the part of the body that does not include the<br />
head, legs, or arms<br />
vaguely (adv.): to be vague is to be unclear or not precise<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 11 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
apoplectic (adj.): Apoplexy is a condition of sudden paralysis; a stroke. <strong>To</strong> be<br />
apoplectic, in this case, is to behave as if on the verge of having a stroke.<br />
arbor (n): an outdoor area shaded by trees or, in this case, scuppernong vines on a<br />
lattice.<br />
bedecked (adj.): adorned; covered (with decorations)<br />
calomel (n.): a laxative; often used as a cure for intestinal worms<br />
camellia (n.): a shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and waxy, rose-like flowers.<br />
camisole (n.) a woman's sleeveless undergarment, usually worn under a sheer blouse<br />
commence (vb.): begin<br />
decreed (vb.): A decree is an official order. As her older brother, Jem decreed what he<br />
and Scout would do.<br />
degradation (n.): a state of low honor or moral character<br />
dog-trot hall (adj.): a covered passageway between two parts of a building<br />
escapade (n.): reckless prank<br />
essence (n.): fundamental nature; most important quality<br />
infuriated (vb.): angered greatly<br />
interdict (n.): prohibition; restraint
livid (adj.): pale; lead-colored. Livid can also mean red, as in the color someone's face<br />
gets when that person becomes angry.<br />
oppressive (adj.): overbearing; hard to put up with<br />
palliation (n.): to palliate is to lessen the pain, or, in this case, fear and anxiety, of<br />
something without actually making the fear and anxiety go away. Calpurnia is not a<br />
great source of palliation; that is, she doesn't make the children feel any less anxious or<br />
fearful.<br />
passé (adj.): old-fashioned<br />
philippic (n.): a bitter verbal attack<br />
plate (n.): dentures; dental plate<br />
propensities (n.): inclinations or tendencies<br />
reconnaissance (n.): examination<br />
rectitude (n.): uprightness of character<br />
relic (n): something of historic interest that has survived from the past. In this case,<br />
Scout is referring to a gun that would have been used in the Civil War.<br />
skulked (vb.): to move or slink about in a sinister manner. The children are skulking in<br />
the kitchen because they are fearful of Atticus's reaction when he returns home.<br />
syringe (n.): a device with a rubber bulb on one end and a narrow tube on the other:<br />
used to inject or extract fluids from body cavities.<br />
tirade (n.): a long angry speech<br />
tranquil (adj.): calm<br />
umbrage (n.): offense<br />
undulate (vb.): to move in waves or in a wavy manner<br />
viscous (adj.): sticky<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 12 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
alien (adj.): not natural; strange<br />
appalling (adj.): shocking; horrifying<br />
asafoetida (n.): a strong-smelling (like garlic) substance made from a parsley-like plant;<br />
often used in folk medicine to repel illness
austere (adj.): stern and severe<br />
boded (vb.): continued<br />
church (vb.): <strong>To</strong> church someone is ban that person (usually temporarily) from church<br />
for any variety of misdeeds.<br />
clad (vb.): dressed<br />
contemptuously (adv.): <strong>To</strong> behave or speak contemptuously toward someone is to treat<br />
that person as if he or she is unworthy or beneath one's dignity.<br />
contentious (adj.) always ready to argue<br />
denunciation (n.): <strong>To</strong> denounce is to strongly disapprove of or condemn something. The<br />
denunciation of sin in the reverend's sermon indicates his strong disapproval of sin.<br />
diligently (adv.): industriously; in a hard-working manner<br />
dispelled (vb.): driven away<br />
ecclesiastical impedimenta (adj. + n.) items used during a church service<br />
frivolous (adj.): silly; not serious<br />
garish (adj.) showy, very bright or gaudy<br />
habiliments (n.): outfits; clothing<br />
inconsistent (adj.): not in agreement; incompatible<br />
indignantly (adv.): angrily<br />
lilac talcum (adj. + n.): Lilacs are a very fragrant flower. Talcum, often called talcum<br />
powder, is a fine talc, or powder, used for the body or face. Lilac talcum is lilac-scented<br />
talcum powder.<br />
rotogravure print (n.): Rotogravure is a process of printing pictures; often photographs of<br />
pictures. Since rotogravure prints often appeared in newspapers, it is possible that the<br />
print in the church had been taken from a newspaper.<br />
snuff (n.): a preparation of powdered tobacco, usually sniffed through the nose<br />
tapeworm (n.): a parasite that can live in a person's intestines.<br />
voile (adj.): a thin, cotton-like fabric
<strong>Chapter</strong> 13 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
caste system (adj. + n.): class distinctions based on birth, wealth, etc.<br />
curtness (n.): <strong>To</strong> be curt is to be brief and short to the point of being rude.<br />
devoid (adj.): completely without<br />
flighty (adj.): foolish; irresponsible<br />
incestuous (adj.): Incest is sexual intercourse between persons too closely related to<br />
marry legally. Atticus's comment as to the possibility that the Finches might have an<br />
incestuous streak refers to the fact that so many Finches have married their cousins.<br />
irritable (adj.): easily annoyed<br />
mandrake roots (n.): The roots of the mandrake plant were often thought to have<br />
magical powers because it was thought that their shape resembled the human body.<br />
The mandrake root appears in many poems, including this "Song" by John Donne.<br />
myopic (adj): Myopia is an abnormal eye condition, often called nearsightedness.<br />
Someone who is myopic cannot see objects clearly.<br />
obliquely (adv.): indirectly<br />
prerogative (n.) exclusive right or privilege<br />
shinny (n.) a slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon. Bourbon is a main<br />
ingredient in the recipe for a Lane cake.<br />
sluggish (adj.): lacking energy; lazy<br />
soberly (adv.): seriously<br />
spun (v.): <strong>To</strong> spin a tale is to tell a story in a creative, fanciful way.<br />
tactful (adj.): <strong>To</strong> be tactful is to be able to say the right thing to a person without being<br />
offensive. Scout realizes that her question about her aunt and uncle was not tactful and<br />
may have been offensive or, at least, embarrassing.<br />
tight (adj.): drunk<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 14 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
antagonize (vb.): oppose; make angry<br />
bushel (n.): a unit of dry measure equal to 32 quarts<br />
erosion (n.): a gradual wearing away.
infallible (adj.): never wrong<br />
manacles (n.): handcuffs<br />
neat (adj.): unmixed with anything, such as water or soda; straight<br />
taut (adj.): tightly stretched<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 15 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
acquiescence (n.): agreement without protest<br />
affliction (n.): in this case, a condition<br />
aggregation (n.): group; gathering<br />
begrudge (vb.): <strong>To</strong> begrudge someone something is to feel resentment or disapproval<br />
about the fact that they have something. Atticus says that he doesn't think anyone in the<br />
town would resent the fact that he has a client.<br />
ecclesiastical (adj.): church-like<br />
façade (n.): the front of a building; the part facing the street (pronounced: "fah - sawed")<br />
futility (n.): feeling of being ineffective; uselessness, hopelessness<br />
impassive (adj.): showing no emotion<br />
linotype (n.): a typesetting machine used in publishing.<br />
ominous (adj.): threatening; sinister<br />
shinnied up (adj.): drunk<br />
stifle (vb.): hold back; suppress<br />
succinct (adj.): clear and brief<br />
uncouth (adj.): crude, unmannerly<br />
venerable (adj.): impressive on account of age or historic associations<br />
venue (n.): the place where a jury is selected and a case is tried<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 16 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
affirmed (vb.): firmly declared or stated<br />
akimbo (adj.): hands on hips and elbows bent outward.
circuit solicitor (n.): a lawyer who travels to different locations to prosecute in trials<br />
dispel (vb.): drive away<br />
eccentricities (n.): oddities; unconventionalities<br />
elucidate (vb.): explain<br />
fey (adj.): strange; eccentric<br />
formidable (adj.): impressive<br />
inhabitants (n.): residents<br />
khaki (adj.): a strong, twilled cloth of a dull yellowish-brown color<br />
Mennonites (n.): members of an Anabaptist Christian sect. Mennonites favor plain dress<br />
and plain living.<br />
profane (adj.): not connected with religion or religious matters<br />
ruddy (adj.): reddish<br />
Scripture (n.): The Bible<br />
subpoena (n.): a written legal order directing a person to appear in court to give<br />
testimony<br />
subtle (adj.): not openly obvious; quiet<br />
sundry (adj.): various<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 17 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
acrimonious (adj.): sarcastic; bitter; nasty<br />
affirmative nod (adj. + n.): Affirmative means positive. <strong>To</strong> give an affirmative nod would<br />
be to nod or shake one's head up and down to indicate "yes."<br />
amber (adj.): dark orange yellow<br />
ambidextrous (adj.): able to use both hands with equal ease<br />
amiably (adv.): good-naturedly<br />
audibly (adv.): Anything that is audible is capable of being heard. The judge warns the<br />
spectators against making any more comments that can be heard.<br />
bantam cock (n.): a small, aggressive rooster.
enignly (adv.): kindly; gently<br />
boiling (n.): angry or unruly group<br />
capacity (n.): ability<br />
cast (n.): <strong>To</strong> have a cast in one's eye means that a particular eye tends to veer or turn<br />
off into another direction.<br />
complacently (adv.): in a self-satisfied way<br />
congenital (adj.): a congenital condition is one that is in existence at birth. For example,<br />
if a child is born with a weak heart, that weakness in congenital; as opposed to<br />
someone who may acquire the condition later in life.<br />
contempt charges (adj. + n.) Contempt, in this case, is open disrespect of a court or<br />
judge. A person who acts in such a manner may face a contempt charge from a judge.<br />
corroborating evidence (adj. + n.): In legal terms; corroborating evidence is evidence<br />
which helps to strengthen a position. For example; eyewitness testimony in regards to a<br />
crime would be corroborating evidence that such a crime had been committed.<br />
corrugated (adj.): formed by a series of alternating ridges and grooves<br />
counsel (n.): lawyers<br />
crepey (adj.): Crepe is a thin, crinkled cloth. Mr. Ewell's crepey neck obviously<br />
resembles this fabric; that is, the skin is thin and crinkled.<br />
dictum (n.): official pronouncement<br />
dogged (adj.): stubborn determination<br />
economic fluctuations (adj. + n.): Economics, in this case, has to do with the economy;<br />
the financial state of the country and its people. <strong>To</strong> fluctuate means to change. As far as<br />
the Ewells are concerned, no matter how the economy of the country might change,<br />
their situation was always the same. They were always poor.<br />
edge (n.): sharpness<br />
gardenia (n.): a large, fragrant flower.<br />
genially (adv.): in a friendly manner<br />
geraniums (n.): flowering plants.<br />
gullet (n.): throat; neck<br />
heaved (vb.): lifted
import (n.): importance<br />
infinite (adj.): endless<br />
irrelevant'n'immaterial (adj.): "irrelevant and immaterial" Irrelevant means not relative;<br />
not related (to something). Immaterial means unimportant. The judge is saying that<br />
whether or not Mr. Ewell can read and write is not related and unimportant to the case.<br />
load o'kindlin' (n.): "load of kindling." Kindling is generally made up of dry twigs,<br />
branches, etc.; materials useful for starting a fire<br />
namesake (n.): the person one is named after. In this case, Mr. Ewell's namesake is the<br />
leader of the Confederate Army, Robert E. Lee.<br />
prosperity (n.): good fortune; wealth<br />
quelling (vb.): quieting; calming<br />
refuse (n.): garbage<br />
ruttin' on (vb.): In this instance, the term is used to indicate that, according to Mr. Ewell,<br />
<strong>To</strong>m Robinson was having sexual intercourse with his daughter. It should be noted that<br />
this term is almost exclusively reserved for use in describing the mating habits of<br />
animals, not people.<br />
skewed (adj.): turned<br />
slop jars (n.): large pails usually used to receive waste water from a wash basin or the<br />
contents of a chamber pot<br />
smugness (n.): <strong>To</strong> be smug is to be highly self-satisfied; to think a lot of oneself. Mr.<br />
Ewell's smugness, or appearance of self-satisfaction, shows on his face.<br />
speculations (n.): <strong>To</strong> speculate is to think about or reflect on a subject. Speculations are<br />
thoughts or reflections.<br />
sulky (adj.): moody and quiet<br />
sullen (adj.): in this case, gloomy and threatening<br />
supplemented (vb.): added to<br />
tenet (n.) a principle or belief generally held to be true<br />
title dispute (n.): a legal fight over the ownership of a particular piece of property<br />
turbulent (adj.): stormy; unruly<br />
varmints (n.): in this case, flies and other flying insects that would be found in and<br />
around a garbage dump
warranted (vb.): gave a reason for; indicated the need for<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 18 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
arid (adj.): dry; without expression<br />
chiffarobe (n.): a large cabinet with drawers and a place for hanging clothes. See a<br />
picture of a chiffarobe.<br />
constructionalist (n.): a person who interprets aspects of the law in a specified way<br />
dusk (n.): the time just before nightfall<br />
ground-itch (n.): Ground-itch is caused by hookworms. The parasites usually enter the<br />
body through bare feet, causing an itchy, allergic reaction.<br />
grudging (adj.): hostile<br />
lavations (n.): washings<br />
mollified (adj.): soothed; calmed<br />
neutrality (n.): the condition of being neutral; not taking part in either side of a<br />
controversy.<br />
perpetual (adj.): everlasting; continuous<br />
pilgrimage (n.): in this instance, a long walk<br />
riled (adj.): angry<br />
strenuous (adj.): work or labor that is strenuous requires a lot of energy and stamina.<br />
tedious (adj.): boring; tiresome<br />
tollable (adj.): Mayella's way of pronouncing the word "tolerable." Someone who is<br />
tolerable is a person who is fairly good or passable; someone who can be tolerated or<br />
endured.<br />
wrathfully (adv.): angrily<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 19 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
candid (adj.): open and honest<br />
ex cathdra remarks (adj. + n.): remarks made with the authority that comes from one's<br />
official position<br />
express (adj.): clear; explicit; not just implied
expunge (vb.): remove completely<br />
grimly (adv.): sternly; without humor<br />
impudent (adj.): disrespectful; bold; sassy<br />
subtlety (n.): delicacy<br />
thin-hided (adj.): thin-skinned; sensitive<br />
unimpaired (adj.): unhurt; undamaged<br />
volition (n.): will. Scout is saying that someone like <strong>To</strong>m would never go into<br />
somebody's yard on his own or unless he had been invited to do so, and would never<br />
do so of his own will or volition.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 20 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
aridity (n.): dryness<br />
attentive (adj.): paying attention; observant<br />
caliber (n.): quality<br />
capital charge (adj. + n.): a charge for a crime that is punishable by death<br />
corroborative evidence (adj. + n.): <strong>To</strong> corroborate is to strengthen and support.<br />
Corroborative evidence, in a trial, is evidence that makes a case stronger. Atticus is<br />
telling the jury that there is no evidence to strengthen the case against <strong>To</strong>m.<br />
corrupting (vb.): <strong>To</strong> corrupt someone is to bring that person down to a lower moral level.<br />
Since it at first appears that Mr. Raymond has given Dill liquor to drink, it would seem<br />
that he is corrupting him.<br />
cynical confidence (adj.): <strong>To</strong> be cynical, in this case, means to believe that people are<br />
only motivated in what they do out of selfishness; that no one truly behaves or does<br />
something out of sincerity. Atticus's mention of the witnesses's cynical confidence refers<br />
to the fact that they are selfish and self-centered enough to think that everyone will<br />
believe their story.<br />
detachment (n.): the state of being disinterested or unemotional<br />
discreet (adj.): carefully phrased; cautious<br />
fraud (n.): a lie; a deception<br />
indicted (vb.): formally accused; charged<br />
iota (n.): a very small amount
minute (adj.): exact; precise (pronounced: my - NEWT)<br />
pauper (n.): an extremely poor person<br />
perpetrated (vb.): committed<br />
temerity (n.): foolish or rash boldness<br />
unmitigated (adj.): out-and-out absolute<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 21 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
acquit (vb.): clear of a charge; find not guilty<br />
charged the jury (vb. + n.): When Judge Taylor charges the jury, he gives them<br />
instructions in law before they go off to deliberate or decide the case<br />
exhilarated (adj.): cheerful, merry<br />
indignant (adj.): angry<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 22 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
cynical (adj.): a cynic is someone who often belittles or makes fun of someone else.<br />
Aunt Alexandra tells Dill that his remarks about his own Aunt's drinking habits are<br />
cynical, especially since, as a child, Dill should have more respect for his elders.<br />
fatalistic (adj.): <strong>To</strong> be fatalistic about something is to accept the event as though it were<br />
inevitable; that is, that nothing could be done to change or alter it.<br />
feral (adj.): wild; savage<br />
heathen (adj.): unenlightened; without religion or morals<br />
ruefully (adv.): regretfully<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 23 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
commutes (vb.): changes; makes less severe<br />
dry (adj.): clever but subtle<br />
furtive (adj.): sneaky<br />
infantile (adj.): childish<br />
statute (n.): law<br />
vehement (adj.): full of emotion and strong feeling
wary (adj.): cautious<br />
wryly (adv.): humorously; slightly sarcastic<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 24 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
apprehension (n.): In this case, fear<br />
bellows (n.): a machine that allows air to be pumped through a system; in this case, an<br />
organ<br />
bovine (adj.): cow-like<br />
brevity (n.): shortness<br />
charlotte (n.): a desert made with fruit in a mold that is lined with pieces of bread or<br />
cake. Read a recipe for charlotte.<br />
devout (adj.): devoted to religion<br />
earworms (n.): See a picture of an earworm.<br />
hypocrites (n.): people who pretend to be something they are not<br />
impertinence (n.): disrespect<br />
largo (adj.): Largo is a direction used in music which means "at a very slow tempo." Mrs.<br />
Merriweather is apparently speaking to Scout very slowly.<br />
squalid (adj.): miserable; wretched<br />
squalor (n): filth<br />
sulky (adj.): moody<br />
vague (adj.): not clearly felt; somewhat subconscious<br />
yaws (n.): an infectious contagious tropical disease. Find out more about yaws.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 25 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
roly-poly (n.): a small bug that can roll itself into a ball. Also known as a pillbug, sowbug<br />
or wood louse. See a picture of a roly-poly.<br />
scowling (vb.): A scowl is a facial expression caused by scrunching up one's forehead<br />
and brow; a look of displeasure. See a young man scowling.<br />
veneer (n.): attractive outer surface
<strong>Chapter</strong> 26 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
remorse (n.): a feeling of regret and guilt<br />
recluse (n.): someone who stays away from society and the company of others<br />
spurious (adj.): Something that is spurious outwardly resembles something but does not<br />
have the genuine qualities of that thing. Miss Gates thinks that The Grit Paper is<br />
spurious because, although it resembles a newspaper, to her mind, it is far inferior to a<br />
publication like The Mobile Register or other newspapers.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 27 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
industry (n.): work, especially on a steady basis<br />
notoriety (n.): fame<br />
florid (adj.): very flowery in style; elegant<br />
nondescript (adj.): dull; with no special or interesting qualities<br />
carcass (n.): body<br />
eccentricities (n.): odd behavior<br />
maiden ladies (adj. + n.): women who have never married<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 28 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
boil-prone (adj.): A boil is an inflamed, pus-filled swelling on the skin, like a pimple only<br />
usually bigger. <strong>To</strong> be prone to something is to be inclined to it. If the children had been<br />
boil-prone, they would have been inclined to have a lot of boils. Find out more about<br />
boils and see a picture of one.<br />
climbers (n.): social climbers; people trying to move into a different social class<br />
crap games (n.): a gambling game played with two dice<br />
divinity (n.): a white fudge made from whipped egg whites, sugar, and nuts. Read a<br />
recipe for divinity.<br />
forest primeval (n. + adj.): in this instance, a forest that had been primarily untouched or<br />
unchanged by man<br />
furtive (adj.): secret<br />
gait (n.): pace, walk
hock (n.): the joint bending backward in the hind leg of an animal like a pig. Scout is<br />
dressed as a ham, and a ham is the upper part of a hog's hind leg, Scout's hock would<br />
be the part of her costume that resembles the joint of a pig's leg.<br />
irascible (adj.): angry<br />
mocker (n.): mockingbird<br />
pinioned (adj.): confined; held down<br />
repertoire (n.): accomplishments; skills. The repertoire of the mockingbird is all the<br />
songs it can sing and sounds it can make.<br />
rout (vb.): defeat<br />
smockin' (n.): Smocking, decorative stitching used to gather cloth.<br />
staccato (adj.): distinct; sharp and crisp<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 29 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
reprimand (vb.): scold<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 30 - <strong>Vocabulary</strong><br />
blandly (adv.): smoothly; without excitement<br />
connived (vb.): secretly cooperated or agreed to<br />
wisteria (n.): twinning woody vines with large clusters of flowers.<br />
<strong>Chapter</strong> 31<br />
railing (adj.): painful